The meeting was a tense one. Ivy Drake sat at the head of the table, her gaze sharp, calculating. Alina could feel the weight of it, the way Ivy's eyes seemed to dissect every detail about her. She was no rookie when it came to reading people — she could see through masks, and right now, Alina was wearing one, the mask of someone eager to prove her worth.
Alina kept her expression neutral, offering no signs of fear or hesitation. She wasn't here to make a friend. She was here to survive.
"So, you're the new recruit?" Ivy's voice was low, but it held an undeniable authority. She wasn't asking for introductions; she was evaluating.
Alina nodded, keeping her tone respectful. "I'm here to make money. I heard you're the one to talk to if you want to make a name for yourself."
Ivy's lips curled into a slight smirk. It was a look that could either be seen as amusement or disdain. "Is that what you think this is? A way to make a name?"
Alina shrugged, her voice steady. "I think you know the value of trust, Ivy. You've built your empire from the ground up. I want in."
There was a brief silence as Ivy regarded her with an unreadable expression. The others in the room were quiet, watching the exchange with interest, but it was clear none of them would make a move without Ivy's signal.
"I don't trust people who think it's that simple," Ivy said finally, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. "Trust isn't given freely. It's earned."
"I know that," Alina replied. "But I'm willing to earn it."
Ivy leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing. "You have something to prove. And you'll prove it by doing something real. You want in? You'll take on a job. You'll work with the crew, get your hands dirty, and we'll see if you're really capable."
Alina didn't hesitate. She could feel the eyes of the room on her, waiting for her response. This was the test, the moment where she either succeeded or failed. There was no turning back now.
"I'm ready," Alina said, her voice clear and resolute.
Ivy held her gaze for a long moment, as if weighing her words, and then she finally nodded. "Good. You'll start with a small assignment. Nothing too big. We've got a shipment coming in from one of our other operations. You'll handle it. Get it here safely, keep the team tight, and don't screw this up."
Alina had expected something like this. Nothing too flashy, nothing too dangerous. It was a chance to prove herself, a small job that would lead to bigger ones.
"I'll handle it," Alina said.
Ivy's smirk returned, and for a moment, it looked like there was something almost… approving in her expression. But it was fleeting, disappearing as quickly as it had come. "We'll see. Get moving. Don't disappoint me."
With that, Ivy stood, signaling the end of the meeting. The others in the room stood as well, and Alina followed suit, keeping her cool as she turned to exit. But as she made her way to the door, Ivy's voice stopped her.
"One more thing, Alina," Ivy said, her tone cold. "This city doesn't forgive mistakes. If you screw up, it won't be just your life on the line. You'll bring down everyone around you."
Alina glanced back, meeting Ivy's eyes. There was no hesitation in her gaze, no fear. "I won't screw up."
Ivy studied her for a moment longer, then nodded. "Don't."
Alina exited the warehouse into the cool night air, her mind racing. She had passed the first test, but this job was just the beginning. If she was going to take down Cole, she needed to prove herself to Ivy first. And to do that, she had to play the game — the same game that Ivy had mastered.
The shipment was scheduled to arrive in less than two hours, and Alina had to make sure it went off without a hitch. It wasn't going to be easy. The job had already attracted attention from rival factions, and there were whispers of a possible ambush. But Alina wasn't the type to back down. This was her chance to move up, to get closer to the heart of the operation.
She arrived at the rendezvous point just before midnight, a secluded industrial area near the docks. It was quiet, too quiet, and Alina could feel the tension in the air. The crew was already there, moving swiftly to prepare for the shipment's arrival. She surveyed the area, making sure the perimeter was secure.
"Everything set?" Alina asked one of the men in charge, a grizzled older guy named Vance.
"All clear," Vance replied, though his eyes were wary. "But something feels off. I don't trust this quiet."
Alina nodded, her hand instinctively resting on the grip of the gun hidden at her side. She had learned to trust her instincts in this business, and right now, they were telling her something wasn't right.
Minutes passed, and just when it seemed like the night would pass without incident, the sound of an engine broke the silence. A van appeared in the distance, the headlights cutting through the foggy night.
Alina's crew tensed, their hands moving to their weapons as the van slowed to a stop. The back doors swung open, and two men stepped out, one of them holding a briefcase.
"Your shipment," one of them said gruffly, handing it over to Vance.
Before anyone could react, a series of loud cracks split the air, followed by the unmistakable sound of gunfire. Alina dove to the ground instinctively, her heart racing as the world erupted into chaos.
She wasn't sure who fired first, but it didn't matter. Her instincts took over. She rolled to her feet, her gun drawn, and in the blink of an eye, she took out one of the attackers.
Her crew reacted quickly, returning fire and providing cover as Alina moved toward the van. She could hear the sound of footsteps behind her — more men coming. They were outnumbered, but they were quick, sharp, and relentless.
Alina's eyes locked onto the briefcase, now lying on the ground a few feet away. She made a snap decision. She sprinted toward it, diving to grab it just as another bullet ricocheted off the pavement beside her.
With the briefcase in hand, Alina shouted to her crew, "Fall back! Now!"
They didn't hesitate. The remaining attackers were outmatched, and soon the last of them was down. The fight had ended as quickly as it had started, but the adrenaline was still coursing through Alina's veins.
As they loaded the shipment into the van, Vance glanced at her. "That was too close," he muttered.
Alina didn't respond. Her mind was already on the next step. This wasn't the end. It was only the beginning. They had survived, but they had also sent a message. And now, the real work would begin.